Electric lamp support



Oct. 19, 1943. H. s; WELFIELD ET AL 239319877 ELECTRIC LAMP SUPPORT Filed D60. 23, 1940 INVENTOR. HEN/@Y 8. W54 FIELD BDYA V/D L. STERLING A TT'OENE'K Patented Oct. 19, 1943 UNl'iED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC LAMP SUPPORT Henry S. Welfield, San Mateo, and David L. Sterling, San Francisco, Calif.

Application December 23, 1940, Serial No. 371,356

1 Claim.

, This invention relates to improvements in Elec tric lamp supports, and more particularly to,supporting clips therefor.

Among the objects of the invention is the provision of simple means for supporting Christmas tree lights on the limbs of the tree.

Another object is to cover .and insulate the top of the socket to prevent the entrance of tinsel and other short circuiting media into the top of the socket.

A further object is the provision of such a clip adaptable to the various types of conventional sockets and lamps in this class. This avoids the necessity for stocking strings of assembled lights of various types, with or without attaching clipsockets, since the present invention can be sold as an accessory for all types of sockets.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description progresses.

In this specification and the accompanying drawing, the invention is disclosed in the preferred form. But it is to be understood that it is not limited thereby, because it may be embodied in modifications within the spirit of the invention as defined in the claim following the description.

Lamp sockets in this class comprise an outer husk, usually composed of molded plastic material, having a metallic sleeve therein to receive the threaded base of the electric light bulb. An insulated contact is provided in this sleeve to enease the insulated end contact of the lamp base, to interpose the light bulb into the electric circuit.

Broadly stated, the present invention consists in interposing a disc of insulating material beneath the light bulb, to close the top of the socket. The disk has a resilient serrated clip coopera-ting with the side of the socket to form clamping means adapted to engage the branches of the tree.

In the one sheet of drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a conventional lamp socket and light bulb having thi invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a plan view from above of the discclip constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line IV, Fig. 1.

In detail the construction illustrated in the drawing, referring first to Fig. 1, comprises the conventional lamp socket I, assembled as described, and having the light bulb 2 screwed therein, in the usual manner.

The attaching clip shown in Fig. 2 comprises the disc 3, composed of any suitable insulating material, such as compressed paper fiber, having the central opening 4 to pass the screw base 5 of the light bulb. The metallic clip has the annular flanged head 6 encircling and clinched over the periphery of the disc.

The clip jaw 1 formed integrally with the head 6 is bent at 8 and extends downwardly, substantially parallel with the outside of the husk of the socket l. The bent portion 8 may be formed with a stiiiening rib 9 to provide tension in the law 1.

The edges of the jaw are bent inwardly as at H1, ill, see Fig. 4, and serrated to better engage the limb of the tree or other object to which it may be attached. To give added stiffness to the jaw I, it may be ribbed inwardly at l I between the opposed edges ll], Ill.

The invention operates substantially as follows: The base 5 of the light bulb is passed through the opening 4, then screwed firmly into the socket l. The limb a: of the tree is then forced inwardly between the socket l and the jaw I.

The modification shown in Fig. 3 is similar in form and operation to the structure just described, except that it is integrally formed in plastic material by molding. The head 3a: ha a central opening to receive thebase 5:17 of the lamp. The jaw la: is in operative relation to the side of the socket lat, to engage the limb as described. In this instance, it is preferable to set the jaw la: slightly oblique to the side of the socket, so that the limb am: can be forced inward until it is securely jammed between the jaw and the socket.

We are aware that clips have been attached to the husks of lamp sockets for the same purpose. But so far as we know, the structure and mode of operation of the present invention, including the dual function of closing and insulating the top of the socket and cooperating therewith to form an attaching clamp, is novel.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent In combination with a substantially cylindrical electric light socket having a light bulb screwed thereinto; a dielectric head with a center opening encircling and frictionally engaging the base of said bulb and adapted to be forced against said socket and completely cover the top opening thereof when said lamp is screwed thereinto; and a jaw formed integrally with said head and extending substantially parallel with the side of said socket and forming a supporting clamp for said socket.

HENRY S. WEIFIELD. DAVID L. STERLING. 

